Скачать или смотреть Bird Seed Trap For Seed That Falls To The Ground From A Feeder

This is what I use to trap seed that falls to the ground from my bird feeder. Seed that falls to the ground from bird feeders should be trapped and discarded as seed on the ground can easily get mixed up with bird droppings that contain salmonella bacteria. Salmonellosis can be spawned in backyard birds when they ingest seed that is contaminated with salmonella bacteria-laced droppings. This affects individual birds as well as the flocks and larger populations flocks belong to, as salmonellosis can easily spread from bird to bird. Also, seed on the ground can easily become contaminated with mold or mildew, which can lead to the spread of avian aspergillosis when birds ingest this contaminated seed. Aspergillosis also easily spreads from bird to bird in a flock and larger populations flocks belong to. Often the birds most affected by these diseases are finches that are among backyard birder's most beloved birds, including Gold Finches, House Finches, Pine Siskins, Redpolls, etc.
This is a light-weight, plastic kid's sand box that I covered and fastened some chicken wire to. I fastened the wire down fairly tightly on the sides of the box so the tension on the top of the wire was as tight as possible. Fastening the wire in place around the circumference also works to keep the squirrels out. The diameter of the sand box is 3 feet, the depth of the box is 7 inches, and the chicken wire is 1 inch grid wire. The 3 foot diameter is about right to catch seed that goes to the ground from the feeder above. Not all seed drops straight down, so it needs to be about this diameter to trap as much as possible. I've never observed any birds attempting to get past the 1 inch grid chicken wire to get to the seed that has been trapped in the bottom of the box. I tried tighter grid chicken wire (3/4" and less), but too often some of the seed would get trapped on top. The 1 inch grid works well to keep the birds out, as well as letting the seed fall through to the bottom of the trap. I also like the portability of this trap. At the end of the day I just turn it over onto the concrete, sweep up and discard the seed, and then hose down any droppings that have accumulated in the bottom of the trap from birds perching on the feeder above. As shown, I drilled some small holes in the bottom of the trap that enable rain water to drain out. They only have to be big enough to let rain water out , but keep the seed in.
Another obvious benefit from trapping and discarding seed that falls from a feeder is it can help with rodent control. Attracting rodents and other varmints to the garden is of course always a significant reason why people get grossed out with backyard birding. LIke it, or not---admit it, or not, if you're allowing seed to fall to the ground below a bird feeder year-round, you're attracting rats, possums, raccoons, and other unwanted critters, year-round. You may be fast asleep when they're visiting your yard every night, but they're definitely foraging for the fast-food source you're continuously providing for them.
Trapping seed that falls to the ground is just another step in taking a comprehensive approach in doing your best to prevent spawning avian salmonellosis and other avian diseases in your garden birds. Seed on the ground can also become contaminated with mold and mildew. When birds ingest seed that is contaminated like this, it also leads to the spread of highly contagious avian diseases for backyard birds. Garden environments besides below a feeder where droppings can accumulate should be regularly scrubbed and hosed down. Bird bath water should be changed daily if possible, as it too can become contaminated with feces from a bird infected with salmonellosis. Feeders should also be cleaned regularly with a recommended bleach solution, but if you will check out my other videos showing my dropping-proof hopper-style feeder system or my dropping-proof feeder system for seed tubes, you will see how they function to keep droppings from accumulating on any feeder surfaces. .
Unfortunately, droppings fall to the ground from birds at a feeder, just like seed does. After you put a trap like this in place, you will soon see how easily seed that falls to the ground from a feeder can easily mix it up with droppings that fall to the ground from birds at the feeder. Salmonella contaminated droppings can also of course mix it up with seed on the ground below a feeder when birds can walk about on the ground below the feeder, and directly deposit their droppings onto the seed like this. Over time, I believe you will find my head to toe approach for preventing the accumulation of droppings on below the feeder also makes maintenance easier for the responsible backyard birder.